The Devil's Companions

by John Misto, Stephen Phillips (Reading)

On Christmas Eve, three-year-old Anna Brennan disappears from a crowded church during midnight mass. She is kidnapped, believed murdered. Twenty years later, in the process of a burglary investigation, a startling piece of evidence accidentally comes to light. Could Anna still be alive? If so, who abducted her, and why? Detective Constable Greg Raine is assigned the task of solving the case and reuniting Anna with her parents. But a nightmare of treachery and murder lies ahead. In a shattering climax, the detective unearths the secret behind Anna's disappearance... and it's a discovery that comes at a terrifying price.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Fiction

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Big Bouncing Flea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept twisting and keeping me guessing. Just when I thought I had it figured out...

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting twists but I craved more character development.

[Charmaine Clancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misto's crime novel, The Devil's Companions, surprised me. It started out a reasonable story, but not great, however, the last half of the novel more than made up for that! The pace picks up, the stakes are raised really high and the twists keep coming.

The story revolves around a past crime, a small girl was abducted from her family on Christmas eve, while at church. She has not been seen nor heard from again and her family accept she is probably dead. Eighteen years on and the case is raised again when fingerprints are found suggesting young Anna Brannen might still be alive. Constable Greg Raine becomes obsessed with the case his father had investigated all those years ago when he was on the case. The trail of clues become confused within politics, religion and police secrets.

The twist shocked me, and would have earned this book 5 stars, my only disappointment was with all the unnecessary head-hopping. We were only interested in the main character and should have stuck with him.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have borrowed this as an audiobook download from local library, looking for a 'companion' for a new knitting project. I must say that I didn't like it in the beginning, it sounded so stereotypical, a new evidence emerges for 20 years old crime, a kidnapping of a little girl. But then it begins to build up, not as much in action at first, but in the development of characters, and by the time you truly like some of them and dislike others (be aware that may change), the action kicks off with a very unexpected 'bang' and, by the end of the book, the plot has more twists than a demented DNA strand (when you read the book you will know that this comparison is very appropriate). If you are looking for a crime book set in Australian realia (the author is an Aussie), something a bit grim and different, go for it!

[Kirstie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Go for the actual book rather than the audio. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I'd read it rather than listened to the audio. I really didn't like the narrator. If I could give it 2 and 1/2 stars I would

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Misto's debut is definitely a pageturner! The twist at the end was pretty surprising.

[Jana Elston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, lived the twists and turns

[Hollyduck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The twists and turns kept you guessing all the way to the end.